• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Little Sugar Snaps
  • All Recipes
  • Trending
  • Favourites
  • Baking
  • Drinks
  • Savoury
  • Midlands Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Work with Me
  • Portfolio
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Trending
  • Favourites
  • Baking
  • Drinks
  • Savoury
  • Midlands Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Work with Me
  • Portfolio
×

Home » Desserts & Puddings

Steamed Jam Sponge Pudding (Northamptonshire Pudding)

May 10, 2022 by Jane Saunders Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
a steamed jam sponge pudding with text overlay.
Steamed jam sponge pudding with a slice taken out. With text overlay.
Steamed jam sponge pudding with a slice taken out. With text overlay.

Steamed jam sponge pudding is a true classic in the world of British desserts. It’s easy to make and delivers an immensely comforting sweet and sticky dessert that is perfectly complemented by a generous drizzle of custard or cream.

Steamed Jam and Sponge Pudding topped with fresh raspberries.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Contents hide
1 What is steamed pudding?
2 What is Northamptonshire Pudding?
3 Why you’ll love this recipe
4 Ingredients and equipment notes
5 Step-by-step instructions
6 Expert tips
7 Frequently asked questions
8 Variations
9 More comforting puds to relish
10 Steamed Jam Sponge Pudding (Northamptonshire Pudding)

If you are looking for a frugal, easy to make, nostalgic and entirely delicious rib-sticking style of dessert, then give my steamed jam sponge pudding a try. The combination of fruit jam and light, fluffy sponge is the stuff legendary dessert dreams are made of.

The East Midlands boasts a variation of steamed pudding known as Northamptonshire pudding, which has raspberry jam stirred directly into the sponge batter. I’m presenting my take on this dish as part of my growing collection of recipes from the East and West Midlands.

What is steamed pudding?

Steamed sponge pudding is a somewhat old school British dessert made from butter, sugar, flour and eggs. Suet can also make an appearance. These ingredients are made into a batter which is then poured into a pudding basin, covered and cooked for several hours on the stovetop in a large pan containing hot water. The hot water steams the pudding, hence the name.

It’s common to find ingredients such as jam, marmalade or golden syrup adorning the top of a steamed pudding.

Incidentally, steamed puddings can be savoury as well as sweet. Steak and kidney pudding is a fine example of a savoury pudding.

What is Northamptonshire Pudding?

Northamptonshire pudding is simply a traditional steamed pudding with a small amount of raspberry jam mixed directly into the batter. Unlike my representation, the traditional version does not have a slick of jam on top too. It contains just five ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, flour and raspberry jam.

This little-known regional recipe was published in The Northamptonshire Federation of Women’s Institutes’ Recipe Book in 1933 although it’s likely that it has been around, in slightly different guises, for much longer. In my investigations, I came across a reference to a suet style pudding from the late 1700s. Intriguingly, it involved neither sugar nor jam. The ingredients list was sparse and I felt it could be devoid of much flavour, so I decided to leave that version well alone.

In its most basic form, Northamptonshire pudding could perhaps prove to be a little conservative for modern tastes. Arguably, a good splurge of jam on top of the steamed pudding works wonders to elevate the taste and appearance of this humble regional take on the classic steamed pudding.

In truth, I was a little concerned that stirring raspberry jam into the pudding would render it an unappetising sludgy pink colour, but I was mistaken. Once cooked, the jam sponge pudding takes on a distinctly attractive deep golden hue. Magic.

A steamed jam sponge pudding with a slice cut out of it.

Why you’ll love this recipe

I’ve gone the extra mile to sympathetically revamp the Northamptonshire steamed jam sponge pudding to account for modern pantry staples and tastes:

  • Jam is still blended into the batter giving the sponge a wonderful colouring.
  • But a little jam is also added to the bottom of the pudding basin.
  • And there’s the option of spooning even more jam over the top at the point of serving (highly recommended).
  • A little vanilla extract also enhances the basic pudding batter.
  • Baking powder is incorporated to produce a light steamed pudding (the original recipe specifies neither self-raising flour nor baking powder).

The end result is a full-flavoured comforting old-fashioned British pudding. The sticky sweet jam is the perfect partner to the soft sponge and a generous serving of custard.

Ingredients and equipment notes

Ingredients for Northamptonshire pudding with text overlay.

Ingredients

This steamed jam sponge pudding doesn’t cost much to make, the ingredients are basic.

Butter: I recommend butter over baking margarine for a fuller, richer flavour. Ensure it is at room temperature and soft enough to cream easily.

Raspberry jam: do yourself a favour and buy quality. It really doesn’t matter if the jam is seedless or not but do pick one that has a high fruit content (50% at least). You’ll get a far fruitier flavour out of your steamed pudding this way.

Vanilla extract: this is an optional extra. If you want the true Northamptonshire pudding experience then feel free to leave it out (and weep later).

Baking powder. Though not specified in the original recipe, a little raising agent makes all the difference in a jam sponge pudding. I used plain flour and tested the recipe with and without baking powder, so you can take my word for it. Alternatively, use self-raising flour and omit the baking powder.

Equipment

For this steamed jam sponge pudding, you will need a 0.9 litre pudding basin and a saucepan large enough to comfortably hold the basin with the lid tightly on the pan.

You will also need a trivet to stand the basin on in the pan to prevent the base of the steamed pudding from burning.

Step-by-step instructions

The list of steps to make this steamed jam pudding may look lengthy but I promise you it’s a quick recipe to prepare. Once mixed it just cooks away for just under 2 hours, leaving plenty of time for you to get on with other tasks.

  1. Prepare the pudding basin by greasing the inside well with butter.
  2. Put a full kettle of water on to boil.
  3. Sift the flour and baking powder together.
  4. Cream the butter and sugar using electric beaters until pale and fluffy.
  5. Beat in one egg.
  6. Next beat in 1 tablespoon of flour.
  7. Mix in the second egg, ¼ of the jam and the vanilla extract.
  8. Fold in the remaining flour using a large metal spoon.
  9. Put another ¼ of jam in the bottom of the pudding basin.
Collage of images showing sponge steamed dessert being made.
  1. Transfer the batter to the pudding basin.
  2. Cover with pleated greaseproof paper and foil and tie tightly with string to create a watertight seal. Trim the foil and parchment so that they come less than halfway down the side of the basin.
  3. Put a trivet into the base of your saucepan and place the pudding basin on the top then carefully pour the freshly boiled water into the pan until it comes halfway up the side of the pudding basin.
  4. Place on the stovetop and cook using gentle heat, allowing the water to barely simmer, for 1 hr 45 minutes. Top up the water if necessary.
  5. Once fully cooked remove from the heat then carefully remove the foil and parchment. Turn the pudding onto a plate.
  6. Warm the remaining jam and spoon over the top of the pudding.
Collage of images showing a jam and sponge dessert being assembled and cooked.

Expert tips

  • All of my recipes are developed using grams (the metric system). Metric measurements are far more accurate than the cups measuring system and you will get far better, more consistent results using grams and a set of digital scales.
  • To ensure that the steamed jam pudding rises well it is vital that the water comes halfway up the side of the basin whilst it is cooking and that the water is freshly boiled rather than cold when added to the pan.
  • Ensure too that the foil and parchment are trimmed sufficiently so that the water does not touch them (this reduces the risk of ending up with a soggy pudding).
  • Use a long skewer to check the pudding is cooked after the cooking time is up. Poke a hole through the foil and parchment a little wider than the skewer. If the skewer comes out clean the pudding is sufficiently cooked.
  • Alternatively plunge a digital food thermometer into the centre of the pudding and check the temperature is at least 95C/ 180F.
  • Steamed jam pudding is best served hot. It’s a mistake to serve it barely warm or cold as the sponge will feel denser than it should.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make steamed jam pudding in advance?

This type of pudding is always best served fresh, so I do not recommend making it in advance.

What can I serve with steamed jam sponge pudding?

Custard or single cream are fantastic with this humble jam and sponge pudding. Evaporated milk would also be tasty.

Can leftovers be reheated?

Some bakers swear that once cooked and cooled, steamed pudding turns dense and heavy. For this reason, they argue against warming up leftovers. I, however, have not found this to be too much of an issue with this recipe.

I’d suggest it is unwise to intentionally aim for leftovers, but if you find yourself with a portion or two left over, store them in the fridge (wrapped) and see how they are once reheated.

The best way to reheat leftovers is in the microwave. Ensure the sponge pudding is covered and cook through on moderate heat for around 40 seconds per slice.

Variations

If you’re looking for ways to modify this steamed jam pudding slightly, try the following ideas:

  • Kind of obvious but vary the flavour of the jam. Raspberry is traditional for Northamptonshire pudding but strawberry or blackberry would work a treat too.
  • Mix 2 tablespoons of desiccated coconut into the sponge batter.
  • Add a touch of rosewater – it pairs beautifully with raspberry and vanilla. Around ¼ – ½ teaspoon will be plenty.
  • Alternatively, omit the vanilla extract and stir in the finely grated zest of a lemon.
Northamptonshire pudding (steamed sponge pudding with jam) being served on plates with custard.

More comforting puds to relish

Malvern Pudding (Custard Apple Pudding)
Check out this recipe
Close-up of a part-served Malvern pudding with custard and apples.
Buxton Pudding
Check out this recipe
Close up photo of Buxton pudding with a slice cut.
Gooseberry Crumble
Check out this recipe
Gooseberry Crumble - featured image
Baked Suet Pudding (Mansfield Pudding)
Check out this recipe
A bowl holding a partially served baked suet pudding with currants. A serving spoon is in the centre.

Have you made this steamed jam sponge pudding? I hope you enjoyed it – let me know how you got along by leaving a comment or rating below. You can also show me your creation on Instagram by tagging me @jane_littlesugarsnaps.

Before you dive into the recipe, why not sign up to receive LittleSugarSnaps newsletters. You’ll hear firsthand when new recipes are published. Plus there’s a free welcome e-book with my top baking tips and 5 favourite cake recipes waiting for you. You’re welcome to stay in touch on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest too.

Steamed Jam and Sponge Pudding topped with fresh raspberries.

Steamed Jam Sponge Pudding (Northamptonshire Pudding)

Jane Saunders
Steamed jam sponge pudding is a true classic in the world of British desserts. It’s easy to make and delivers an immensely comforting sweet and sticky dessert that is perfectly complemented by a generous drizzle of custard or cream.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Pudding
Cuisine: British, East Midlands, Midlands, Northamptonshire
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 6
Calories: 270kcal

Equipment

  • 1 0.9 litre Pudding basin
  • 1 Very large lidded saucepan it must be big enough to hold the basin with the lid on
  • 1 trivet
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 75 g Caster sugar
  • 60 g Butter room temperature and soft
  • 120 g Plain flour all-purpose
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 Eggs large, free-range
  • 120 g Raspberry jam
Metric – US Customary

Instructions

  • Prepare the pudding basin by greasing the inside well with butter.
  • Put a full kettle of water on to boil.
  • Sift the flour and baking powder together.
  • Cream the butter and sugar using electric beaters until pale and fluffy.
  • Beat in one egg.
  • Briefly beat in 1 tablespoon of flour (this stops the batter from splitting).
  • Mix in the second egg, ¼ of the jam and the vanilla extract.
  • Fold in the remaining flour using a large metal spoon. Keep mixing until the batter is just smooth and no streaks of flour remain.
  • Put another ¼ of jam in the bottom of the pudding basin.
  • Transfer the batter to the pudding basin.
  • Cover with pleated greaseproof paper and foil and tie tightly with string to create a watertight seal. Trim the foil and parchment so that they come less than halfway down the side of the basin.
  • Put a trivet into the base of your saucepan and place the pudding basin on the top then carefully pour the freshly boiled water into the pan until it comes halfway up the side of the pudding basin.
  • Place on the stovetop and cook using gentle heat, allowing the water to barely simmer, for 1 hr 45 minutes. Top up the water if necessary.
  • At the end of the cooking time check that the pudding is fully cooked (a skwer should come out clean). Once it is ready remove from the heat then carefully remove the foil and parchment. Turn the pudding out of the basin onto a plate.
  • Warm the remaining jam and spoon over the top of the pudding then serve immediately.

Notes

  • All of my recipes are developed using grams (the metric system). Metric measurements are far more accurate than the cups measuring system and you will get far better, more consistent results using grams and a set of digital scales.
  • To ensure that the steamed jam pudding rises well it is vital that the water comes halfway up the side of the basin whilst it is cooking and that the water is freshly boiled rather than cold when added to the pan.
  • Ensure too that the foil and parchment are trimmed sufficiently so that the water does not touch them (this reduces the risk of ending up with a soggy pudding).
  • Use a long skewer to check the pudding is cooked after the cooking time is up. Poke a hole through the foil and parchment a little wider than the skewer. If the skewer comes out clean the pudding is sufficiently cooked.
  • Alternatively plunge a digital food thermometer into the centre of the pudding and check the temperature is at least 95C/ 180F.
  • Steamed jam pudding is best served hot. It’s a mistake to serve it barely warm or cold as the sponge will feel denser than it should.
 
Handling leftovers
Some bakers swear that once cooked and cooled, steamed pudding turns dense and heavy. For this reason, they argue against warming up leftovers. I, however, have not found this to be too much of an issue with this recipe.
I’d suggest it is unwise to intentionally aim for leftovers, but if you do find yourself with a portion or two left over, store them in the fridge (wrapped) and see how they are once reheated.
The best way to reheat leftovers is in the microwave. Ensure the sponge pudding is covered and cook through on moderate heat for around 40 seconds per slice.

Nutrition Per Serving (Approximate)

Calories:270kcal | Carbohydrates:42g | Protein:4g | Fat:10g | Saturated Fat:6g | Polyunsaturated Fat:1g | Monounsaturated Fat:3g | Trans Fat:1g | Cholesterol:76mg | Sodium:93mg | Potassium:127mg | Fiber:1g | Sugar:22g | Vitamin A:329IU | Vitamin C:2mg | Calcium:47mg | Iron:1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @littlesugarsnap or tag #littlesugarsnaps!
(Visited 1,781 times, 1 visits today)

More Dessert Recipes

  • Close-up of an old-fashioned suet pudding sprinkled with caster sugar in an oval serving dish.
    Baked Suet Pudding (Mansfield Pudding)
  • Close up of a large fruit dessert in a serving dish with a portion removed.
    Apple and Blueberry Crumble
  • Close up of Apple and Blackberry Crumble in a serving dish - featured Image
    Apple and Blackberry Crumble
  • Close-up of a Raffaello cake (coconut almond torte) with a slice on a plate.
    Raffaello Torte (Coconut and Almond Torte)

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Headshot of jane Saunders (Jane Coupland) Food Photographer and Blogger at LittleSugarSnaps

Hello there. I'm Jane. Welcome to LittleSugarSnaps - my place for sharing enticing and easy sweet and savoury recipes with a side helping of cocktails.

More about me →

Inforgraphic with image and text overlay for newsletter subscription

POPULAR RECIPES

  • An Amaretto sour cocktail garnished with egg white foam and cocktail cherries
    Disaronno Sour (Amaretto Sour)
  • Cheese Savoury Sandwich for Afternoon Tea cut dainty and served on pretty crockery with a rocket leaf garnish
    Cheese Savoury Recipe for Afternoon Tea Sandwiches
  • Close up of a slice of minced beef pie with peas and gravy.
    Minced Beef and Onion Pie (Shortcrust Pastry)
  • An espresso martini with Baileys topped with grated chocolate.
    Baileys Espresso Martini
  • Close up of egg mayo sandwiches - featured image
    Egg Mayo Sandwich
  • TRIPLE CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE
    Triple Chocolate Layer Cake with Marshmallow Frosting

As Seen In...

Footer

^ back to top

SIGN UP! for emails and updates

Information

  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertising
  • Accessibility Policy

About

  • About Jane
  • Contact Me
  • Work with Me

Featured In...

Featured in image with text only

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

All content is © 2014-2022 Jane Saunders & LittleSugarSnaps.com. All rights reserved.

Please ask permission before using any images or recipes.